Plastic or Metal Plenum?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg, Va
Plastic or Metal Plenum? The ATI kits offer both molded plastic and metal air intake plenums. Mine came with the plastic but I have the option to swap it. Which do you think is best and why?
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? I would think the metal version would be better. Wouldn't the cool air coming from front cool the intake air just a tad plus I thought you could polish the black metal version if it's really alum. under the paint.
I got the plastic version and wanted the metal version. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
I got the plastic version and wanted the metal version. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? Dumb question but do you mean the intake plenum like the ls6 or ls1 black intake on a stock ls1. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? It's the thing in the front that makes 2 of the large hoses coming from the IC's into 1 that goes to the TB.
Like in this pic:
<img src="http://www.blackls1ta.com/images2/25.jpg" alt=" - " />
(black metal ATI plenum)
Like in this pic:
<img src="http://www.blackls1ta.com/images2/25.jpg" alt=" - " />
(black metal ATI plenum)
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 1
From: LaConner WA
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? All things being equal, the plastic one will make more power, the metal one will look better. The reason is because the underhood heat will be transferred through the metal piping to the intake air. This of course will make less power. The plastic piping will actually insulate the intake air from the underhood temps.
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">All things being equal, the plastic one will make more power, the metal one will look better. The reason is because the underhood heat will be transferred through the metal piping to the intake air. This of course will make less power. The plastic piping will actually insulate the intake air from the underhood temps.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">exactly..... that's what makes the composite ls1/ls6 intake manifolds so good.
Also the plastic will not suck the cool temps from the incoming air... that's why metals always feel cold.... it's a material property.
Also the plastic will not suck the cool temps from the incoming air... that's why metals always feel cold.... it's a material property.
Trending Topics
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? MikeB-
Is ATI swapping you for the black metal plenum? If so, I might be calling them. The plastic one just looks boring. They could of at least colored the Procharger logo!
I still think the metal one would stay cooler when driving at 5+ mph. At a stop, then yes, the plastic would be better.
Is ATI swapping you for the black metal plenum? If so, I might be calling them. The plastic one just looks boring. They could of at least colored the Procharger logo!
I still think the metal one would stay cooler when driving at 5+ mph. At a stop, then yes, the plastic would be better.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton, CA
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? I like the polished plenum the best. Pics at my website, bottom row of thumbnails...
www.californiamasseys.com/formula.html
Mike M
www.californiamasseys.com/formula.html
Mike M
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 1
From: LaConner WA
Re: Plastic or Metal Plenum? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by rodent:
<strong> MikeB-
Is ATI swapping you for the black metal plenum? If so, I might be calling them. The plastic one just looks boring. They could of at least colored the Procharger logo!
I still think the metal one would stay cooler when driving at 5+ mph. At a stop, then yes, the plastic would be better. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't want to start a pissing match, but the underhood air had to go through the radiator to get there, hence it is warm. The metal piping will be warmed up by this warm air and transfer this heat to the inlet air, which was cooled by the intercooler, which is cooled by air in FRONT of the radiator. The best thing that inlet piping can do is insulate this cooled inlet air from the warm underhood/after radiator air. And plastic just happens to be an ideal insulator, while the metal piping, on the other hand, happens to be an ideal transferer of heat. The fact that the plastic piping will make more power in this particular setup is not even debatable. Just apply the laws of physics and you have your answer.
<strong> MikeB-
Is ATI swapping you for the black metal plenum? If so, I might be calling them. The plastic one just looks boring. They could of at least colored the Procharger logo!
I still think the metal one would stay cooler when driving at 5+ mph. At a stop, then yes, the plastic would be better. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't want to start a pissing match, but the underhood air had to go through the radiator to get there, hence it is warm. The metal piping will be warmed up by this warm air and transfer this heat to the inlet air, which was cooled by the intercooler, which is cooled by air in FRONT of the radiator. The best thing that inlet piping can do is insulate this cooled inlet air from the warm underhood/after radiator air. And plastic just happens to be an ideal insulator, while the metal piping, on the other hand, happens to be an ideal transferer of heat. The fact that the plastic piping will make more power in this particular setup is not even debatable. Just apply the laws of physics and you have your answer.